Reading osage bark

[Sidewinder]

If they are out in the open they tend to be scrubby and smaller with lots of thorns. They need the protection from the things they think will hurt them. Like deer and cattle. It also helps them deal with the wind and such so they bush out a little more. At least around here. We are prairie and semi prairie with some creek bottoms mixed in. But its the second growth stuff that grows straighest that has to fight for sunlight and is protected from dominated winds.  Danny

[TRACY]

This is an excellent reference and will save folks from reinventing the wheel. Growing up  my dad burned a lot of Osage for heat, dry or green, it burns hot.


Tracy

[burn em up chuck]

    outlaw muse away little brother everyone should learn this. it applies too more than osage. thank you for the post
                                                                                                 
                                                                                               chuck   

[hedgeapple]

Great Post Clint.  I learned a few things myself.  Thanks.

I believe Blackhawk might drive to IN for this tree

[Will H]

Great Post Clint.  I learned a few things myself.  Thanks.

I believe Blackhawk might drive to IN for this tree

I WOULD!!! 

[Sidewinder]

That one has some major wiggle wiggle to it. You guys need to cut and split that one. I want to see the staves when you do.

[TRACY]

Clint, How does the bark compare on the last pic to the curly Osage ?


Tracy

[osage outlaw]

The bark looked more like the older bark.  It did have some snake to it.  Here is a picture of the curly osage bark

[TRACY]

Really nothing different in that bark than some of the slow growing Osage. Nothing on the outside would indicate the curly grain on the inside. Hmm?

Your going to have to take pics of the grain if you harvest the curvy bark Osage . I've seen and cut  a lot of Osage in woods, pasture, river bank and fence row, but don't recall ever seeing one with bark like that.

Tracy

[blackhawk]

Great Post Clint.  I learned a few things myself.  Thanks.

I believe Blackhawk might drive to IN for this tree

You are probably right Dave!!!!  

This applies to more than just osage. Also looking at the maturity of the bark for its diameter is important too. Good examples showing shown here.

[hedgeapple]

Chris, I knew a possible snakey, snakey, snakey stave would get your heart racing a bit faster.

[bjrogg]

Clint I had to bump this one to the top again. Really good post and like said also for more than just Osage. I've looked for straight bark without twist in HHB and Ash. Never really saw the zig zag in them. Gonna have to show my cousin this post thanks for sharing
Bjrogg

[make-n-break]

Excelllent write up.